We are honored to welcome author and motivational speaker Doreen Hanna to the MODsquad today. She and co-author Pam Farrel have a passion to help mothers and fathers raise girls who see themselves as daughters of the King. In Raising A Modern-Day Princess, they not only give a step by step guide to create a fun filled rite of passage for your daughter, but they also share personal stories from other real MODsquad moms! Want a chance to win a copy yourself? Read, be inspired, and see below for details!
The power of life and death is in the tongue and we shall eat the fruit of it. Proverbs 19:21
My motivation to create a biblically-based rite of passage came out of my deep need to be loved by my father. I was an unexpected surprise to my 19-year-old father and he couldn’t find it in his heart to speak words of life to me for many years.
Why did I hunger for his words even though my mother lavished me with hers? Because it is in the heart of every young girl to be the apple of her daddy’s eye. Little girls who are growing up with a healthy daddy figure most often dream of marrying their daddy. As they grow into young ladies the boys start looking pretty cute, she still needs those words of affirmation, now more than ever, because he sets the stage for future male relationships.
As moms, during this season of their development, we need to encourage our daughter’s relationship with dad. If dad isn’t an active in her life, find a man of character to speak into her life–like, a grandpa, uncle, respected teacher, coach, etc.
We also can orchestrate opportunities, with God’s help, for our girls to see the qualities of a man of integrity, both from God’s word (by examining Psalm 15, for example), as well as in “real” life. Make it fun – who can find the men of integrity that surround your lives and what character qualities do they see in them.
At a rite of passage celebration, the highlight of the event is when the girl’s dad, or another respected man she has chosen, stands before family and friends, and publicly affirms her with rich words of blessing and crowns her a true modern-day princess.
I have facilitated many rites of passage in the last decade and I’ve seen teen girl’s lives, marriages, and families changed forever because the power of the tongue was used to bring life.
In closing I’d like to share a true story that validates today’s Proverb.
“Several close friends of mine attended my daughter’s rite-of-passage ceremony. My friends and I were deeply touched, because most of us dealt with “father” issues. We later discussed how decisions we have made, would have been different if we had had a moment like this. How many hurts could have been healed and how much stronger as women we would have been.
Many of the girls in our group had strained relationships with their fathers. For some of them it was the first time their dad had said he was proud of them or that he loved them. One father confessed and asked for forgiveness for not being the father he should have been. Another dad thanked his daughter for bringing him back to the church. Often, during their blessings, the men, had to stop and compose themselves because they were filled with such emotion. Everyone who attended was deeply touched and tears of joy filled their eyes as we saw the power of the blessing!”
Thanks Doreen, for taking the time to encourage us today! I love that this book challenges us to be purposeful in building into our daughters. It is a fantastic resource for every MODsquad mom! Tyndale was kind enough to offer a copy of this book to one lucky person! Just tell us below how you are helping your girl see herself as God sees her. We will choose one winner using Random.org. Giveaway is open through Tuesday at 9PM est, and winner will be announced on Wednesdays prayer post!
**You can also read more at Doreen’s website: http://www.moderndayprincess.net/
16 Comments
I encourage my husband & daughter’s relationship, as I know (from not having a good relationship with my dad) how much this relationship is needed!
Also, I remind her often of the way her Father sees her…that she is beautifully & wonderfully made, precious, unreplaceable, and that He has a plan and purpose for her…not later…but now.
Erin recently posted..surprise under the bedsheets
I frequently encourage my husband to take our oldest (6) out on “Daddy Dates”. I try to remind him (in a non-nagging way) that Daddy’s are important in a girl’s life (and we have two of them so far).
When my oldest is feeling yuck–her molluscums (a skin related virus she has been battling for over a year now) are embarassing her, she feels her clothes don’t fit right (she’s very particular), or she’s having a bad day–I remind her that even on our absolute worst days, God thinks we’re beautiful and he made even those frustrating hairs that are sticking up. She knows her father and I think she’s beautiful.
Amy recently posted..On Making God Laugh
Our oldest daughter has special needs and we try to help her remember God loves her just the way she is by reminding her, “God gave you a special brain and has a special plan just for you.”
So thankful that my husband plays a very active role in the lives of my girls. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts Doreen. I have this book. It is a great one for moms of girls.
Amy recently posted..Thankful for New Beginnings
My daughter is a definite Daddy’s girl. She is only two but we started telling her when she was a baby how special she is to God and to us.
Jessica recently posted..Nicey Jane and a Nicey Giveaway
We intentionally make time with just daddy and the girls. And, we tell them everyday about how special God made them – perfect in His sight. Thanks for the great post, Doreen!
Melissa Nesdahl recently posted..The Problem With Living in a Shortsighted Culture
Every night when we say our prayers with our little girl, my husband and I thank God for all the blessings that He has given us, especially the gift our our beautiful baby girl. We pray for her well-being under His care, and we thank Him for entrusting her to our care. By giving thanks for her and thanking God for trusting us with her care, I hope my little girl will always know how precious she is to us and to Him!
Kristen recently posted..23 Months Old!
I am blessed to have a husband who absolutely loves the Lord and our 3 little girls (6yrs, 3yrs and almost 8 months) with all of his heart! He is so good about intentionally speaking words of encouragement to each of them daily and lavishing physical affection on them consistently. I do the same, but I know how vital it is for them to receive it from their daddy. I am blessed with a Godly father who taught me how much I was worth to my Heavenly Father. He told me to settle for nothing less than a stallion when looking for a mate…not a horse and definitely not a mule
We have 2 daughters (ages 8 and 1), and my husband makes sure that each one has special times with him on a regular basis. Whether it be a bedtime story followed by prayer, or an after dinner walk or date night for our oldest, we are committed to making sure our girls know they our loved by their Daddy. We also praise God for the gifts we see in them already.
Jenn B recently posted..Happy Birthday- Tiny One!
My daughter is lucky to have a hands-on Dad who thinks she’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, and tells her so all the time. He also takes her on special outings with him as often as possible. I love hearing about their special times together.
We have the words “You are Wonderfully Made (Ps. 139)” on her bedroom wall (it’s one of those “Wallies” … peel and stick). Most night after prayers, I ask her what it says. She repeats it and we talk about how God created her unique and special and loves her more than anyone else ever could. I pray it’s a message that sinks in to her core and guides her entire life!
My girls have been blessed to have a father who works along side their mom as a foster carer for special needs. So as well as a full time mom they have got a full time dad. Yet sometimes time is not enough. As my girls have grown older my husband has pulled away, this has troubled my daughters, my husband believes he is letting them grow up yes they are changing and maturing but they still and will always need their daddy. This last summer the girls have demanded attention from him (all planned and discussed with me). They have pestered him for cuddles, bike rides and phoned him rather than me. This has worked and along with me taking a step back he has loved it. He loves the way they ask his advice how they go to him first. I think I was stopping him from begining there, no that was wrong I was just there first. By stepping back he has had to step up and the relantionships between them all is amazing.
I think losing one of his girls nearly destroyed by husband and from that he started to protect his heart. This summer and operation daddy has made him realise how much his other three girls still need him.
I know our eternal father loves us all so. It’s this unfailing love that gives us the courage to step out into the light.
God bless xxx
ra
Sara recently posted..Revolution
Since my daughter was tiny we have told her that there was nothing she could ever do that would make us stop loving her. It’s God’s example to us, and it’s a perfect example!
I am teaching both of my daughters that it is how you “look” on the inside that is most important. Having character, showing compassion and loving Christ are what make a girl truly beautiful.
Tracey recently posted..Saturday Salutes
My husband does make an effort to be involved with our girls. He tells them often that he loves them and they are special. I would love to be able to develop the girls’ knowledge of the truth and beauty of their Heavenly Father’s love for them. They do know Him, but life in middle school can be difficult to navigate at times. . .
With so much external influence bogging down even preschoolers, we’ve had to keep reminding our daughter that she doesn’t need to be like a Disney Princess or another little girl but that the Lord has made her one of a kind and we love her for who she is and that God made her extra special. We applaud her little ideas and thoughts and the way she draws, sings and then say wow..Jesus made you so special
My daughter and I have a special time each night while she is showering and I am washing my face and brushing my teeth. We talk about all sorts of things from what happened during the day to questions she has about growing up. This time gives me an opportunity to share a biblical worldview on many areas of life, including how He views her as a child of God.
My husband is also a wonderful father. Occasionally he takes my daughter on “dates” and he is able to share a lot with her as well.
I’ve had my eye on this book, and was excited to see it here. Thank you for your encouragement, Doreen!